Liam Donlin, Joanne Maxwell and Amie Clegg are in prison after being convicted of the murder of Paul Scott, a 37-year-old man from Blackburn. The trio were sentenced to life imprisonment at Preston Crown Court on 20 March 2026, following a trial that heard how they carried out a planned revenge attack on a relative who had played no part in any prior dispute.
Who Are Liam Donlin, Joanne Maxwell and Amie Clegg?
Joanne Maxwell is the mother of Liam Donlin and Amie Clegg. The three are members of the same family from the Blackburn area of Lancashire. The case became notable not only for its brutality but because it involved a planned, coordinated attack by a mother and her two adult children on a man who had simply tried to break up an argument months earlier.
Liam Donlin was the principal attacker who carried out the stabbing. Amie Clegg was responsible for luring the victim to his front door and filming the attack. Joanne Maxwell was found to have orchestrated and planned the murder over a prolonged period, sending threatening messages and recruiting her son to carry out the killing.
Who Was Paul Scott?
Paul Scott was a 37-year-old man from Blackburn who was described by those who knew him as kind and caring. He lived on Peridot Close in Blackburn. Paul had a distant family connection to the defendants, but his involvement in any conflict with them was limited to a single incident in September 2024 when he had tried to intervene and break up an altercation involving Joanne Maxwell and others. He was not a party to the dispute and was, by all accounts, attempting to restore peace when he was targeted for murder.
Background to the Murder
The chain of events that led to Paul Scott’s murder began in September 2024. Joanne Maxwell became involved in an altercation with a group of people. Paul Scott happened to be present and tried to separate those involved. He had no grievance with Maxwell and was not a participant in the dispute.
Following that incident, Maxwell began sending threatening messages to Paul and others involved, making clear she intended revenge. Over the months that followed, up until March 2025, she continued to send threatening communications. In messages from early 2025, Maxwell stated she had decided to bring her son Liam Donlin into the situation, indicating a deliberate decision to escalate toward violence.
The prosecution argued that the murder was not a spontaneous act of violence but a planned, premeditated killing motivated by Maxwell’s desire for revenge, despite the fact that her chosen target had done nothing more than try to stop a fight.
How the Murder Was Carried Out
In the early hours of 22 June 2025, Liam Donlin, Joanne Maxwell and Amie Clegg armed themselves with knives and travelled to Paul Scott’s home on Peridot Close in Blackburn. The attack was coordinated: Amie Clegg knocked on the door to draw Paul to the entrance of his home, and she filmed what followed on a mobile phone. Liam Donlin then stabbed Paul Scott, killing him.
The fact that the attack was filmed on a mobile phone was a significant element of the prosecution case. The footage demonstrated the deliberate and calculated nature of the killing and the role each defendant played. Paul Scott was pronounced dead at the scene.
All three were arrested and charged with murder. They were remanded into custody and subsequently convicted following a trial. Our guide to sending money to a prisoner explains how families can support those in custody, and the prison visit booking process covers how to arrange in-person visits.
Sentences and Court Outcome
All three defendants were convicted of murder and sentenced on 20 March 2026 at Preston Crown Court. The judge imposed life sentences with minimum terms before parole could be considered. The sentences were as follows:
Liam Donlin received a life sentence with a minimum term of 26 years. Joanne Maxwell received a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years. Amie Clegg received a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years.
A life sentence in England and Wales means that even after the minimum term is served, release is not automatic. The Parole Board must determine whether an individual is safe to be released. For more information on how the Parole Board operates in the UK, see our guide to the Parole Board.
Family and Police Reaction
The family of Paul Scott described their grief publicly following the sentencing. In statements released after the verdict, they referred to the defendants as a trio of evil and spoke of the devastating and irreparable impact the murder had on those who loved Paul. They described him as a much-loved man who had done nothing wrong and paid the ultimate price for trying to keep the peace.
Lancashire Police welcomed the outcome and paid tribute to Paul Scott, emphasising that the sentence reflected the seriousness of a murder that had been planned over a prolonged period. Officers involved in the investigation noted the particular callousness of filming the killing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Liam Donlin, Joanne Maxwell and Amie Clegg in prison?
Liam Donlin, Joanne Maxwell and Amie Clegg are in prison because they were convicted of the murder of Paul Scott, a 37-year-old man from Blackburn, Lancashire. They were sentenced to life imprisonment at Preston Crown Court on 20 March 2026.
Who was Paul Scott and why was he killed?
Paul Scott was a 37-year-old man from Blackburn who had no involvement in the original dispute. He had attempted to break up an argument involving Joanne Maxwell in September 2024. Maxwell subsequently planned his murder as an act of revenge, despite the fact that Paul had simply tried to restore peace.
What sentences did Donlin, Maxwell and Clegg receive?
All three received mandatory life sentences for murder. Liam Donlin must serve a minimum of 26 years before being considered for parole. Joanne Maxwell must serve a minimum of 23 years. Amie Clegg must serve a minimum of 20 years. None can be released without the approval of the Parole Board.
What was Amie Clegg’s role in the murder?
Amie Clegg lured Paul Scott to the front door of his home so that her brother could carry out the stabbing. She also filmed the attack on her mobile phone. This evidence was central to the prosecution case and demonstrated the planned and coordinated nature of the killing.
Where are Donlin, Maxwell and Clegg held?
The specific prisons where Liam Donlin, Joanne Maxwell and Amie Clegg are held have not been publicly confirmed as of March 2026. Female offenders serving life sentences in England are typically held in a women’s high-security or closed prison. Male offenders serving life sentences are held in one of the high-security or Category B male prisons within the UK estate.
